U.S. patent application number 14/589837 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for methods and apparatus for improving nfc connection through device positioning.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Stephen Frankland, John Hillan.
Application Number | 20150118964 14/589837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48326417 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150118964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frankland; Stephen ; et
al. |
April 30, 2015 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING NFC CONNECTION THROUGH DEVICE
POSITIONING
Abstract
Aspects disclosed herein relate to improving near field
communication (NFC) device positioning for performing a NFC action
based on one or more sensory cues. In one example, a NFC device may
be equipped to detect that a device is attempting to perform a NFC
action to communicate with a remote NFC device and may provide a
first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface
of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second
surface of the device in response to the determination that the
device is attempting to perform the NFC action. The NFC device may
be further operable to determine a type of NFC action the device is
attempting to perform and provide a second sensory cue indicating a
second location on the first surface of the device based on one or
more factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.
Inventors: |
Frankland; Stephen;
(Horsham, GB) ; Hillan; John; (Farnborough,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48326417 |
Appl. No.: |
14/589837 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13453083 |
Apr 23, 2012 |
8929810 |
|
|
14589837 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2250/04 20130101;
H04M 1/7253 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; H04B 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.1 |
International
Class: |
H04B 5/00 20060101
H04B005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of wireless communications, comprising: detecting that
a device is attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC)
action to communicate with a remote NFC device; and providing a
first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface
of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second
surface of the device in response to the determination that the
device is attempting to perform the NFC action
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a type of
NFC action the device is attempting to perform; and providing a
second sensory cue indicating a second location on the first
surface of the device based on one or more factors associated with
the determined type of NFC action.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more factors includes
comparative sizes of an antenna associated with the remote NFC
device and the antenna associated with the device.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more factors includes
a coupling value indicating a strength of magnetic coupling of an
antenna associated with the remote NFC device and the antenna
location.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first sensory
cue and the second sensory cue comprises a graphical representation
on a user interface of the device on the first surface.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the graphical representation
comprises at least one of a target shape, text indicating a
location, and text indicating one or more directions for a user to
follow.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first sensory
cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable vibration
indication, wherein the variable vibration indication changes at
least one of a frequency and an intensity of the device vibration
based on a distance between the first or second location and a
current positioning of the device.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first sensory
cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable auditory
indication, wherein the variable auditory indication changes at
least one of a frequency, a voice message, and a volume of the
device auditory indication based on a distance between the first or
second location and a current positioning of the device.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting further comprises
detecting at least one of: activation of the device; initiation of
an application; a change in orientation of the device; and a user
input.
10. An apparatus, comprising: means for detecting that a device is
attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC) action to
communicate with a remote NFC device; and means for providing a
first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface
of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second
surface of the device in response to the determination that the
device is attempting to perform the NFC action
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means for
determining a type of NFC action the device is attempting to
perform; and means for providing a second sensory cue indicating a
second location on the first surface of the device based on one or
more factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more factors
includes comparative sizes of an antenna associated with the remote
NFC device and the antenna associated with the device.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more factors
includes a coupling value indicating a strength of magnetic
coupling of an antenna associated with the remote NFC device and
the antenna location.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first
sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a graphical
representation on a user interface of the device on the first
surface.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the graphical representation
comprises at least one of a target shape, text indicating a
location, and text indicating one or more directions for a user to
follow.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first
sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable
vibration indication, wherein the variable vibration indication
changes at least one of a frequency and an intensity of the device
vibration based on a distance between the first or second location
and a current positioning of the device.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first
sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable
auditory indication, wherein the variable auditory indication
changes at least one of a frequency, a voice message, and a volume
of the device auditory indication based on a distance between the
first or second location and a current positioning of the
device.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first surface is
substantially parallel to the second surface and the first and
second surfaces are on opposite sides of the device, and wherein
the first surface further includes a user interface and wherein at
least one of the first and second sensory cues further include one
or more graphical representations displayed on the user
interface.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for detecting
further comprises means for detecting at least one of: activation
of the device; initiation of an application; a change in
orientation of the device; and a user input.
20. A method of wireless communications, comprising: detecting that
a device is attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC)
action to communicate with a remote NFC device; and providing one
or more sensory cues to indicate a first location on a first
surface of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a
second surface of the device in response to the determination that
the device is attempting to perform the NFC action.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This is an application claiming priority to Non-Provisional
application Ser. No. 13/453,083 entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
IMPROVING NFC CONNECTION THROUGH DEVICE POSITIONING" filed Apr. 23,
2012, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The disclosed aspects relate generally to communications
between and/or within devices and specifically to methods and
systems for improving near field communication (NFC) connections
through device positioning based on one or more sensory cues.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Advances in technology have resulted in smaller and more
powerful personal computing devices. For example, there currently
exist a variety of portable personal computing devices, including
wireless computing devices, such as portable wireless telephones,
personal digital assistants (PDAs) and paging devices that are each
small, lightweight, and can be easily carried by users. More
specifically, the portable wireless telephones, for example,
further include cellular telephones that communicate voice and data
packets over wireless networks. Many such cellular telephones are
being manufactured with relatively large increases in computing
capabilities, and as such, are becoming tantamount to small
personal computers and hand-held PDAs. Further, such devices are
being manufactured to enable communications using a variety of
frequencies and applicable coverage areas, such as cellular
communications, wireless local area network (WLAN) communications,
near field communication (NFC), etc.
[0006] One feature of NFC is that a successful connection only be
established within a comparatively small operating volume. In other
words, an NFC enabled device and a remote NFC device need to be
within close proximity of each other in order to successfully
perform an NFC action. As used herein, an NFC action may include,
but is not limited to, radio frequency (RF) discovery, NFC link
establishment, data exchange, etc. Because of the comparatively
small operating volume, a challenge arises in determining how to
effectively indicate to a user where an optimal place is on a NFC
device for performing an NFC action. Generally, to assure a robust
connection, a user may align the antenna location of an NFC device
with the remote NFC device. Where this location is indicated by a
mark on the underside of the NFC device, the location is not be
visible to the user when the NFC device is held in close proximity
to the remote NFC device (e.g., a reader/writer, tag, peer device,
etc.). Further, a NFC device may have a user interface
substantially covering the front surface, so it is not possible to
place a mark to indicate a location on the top surface. Also, even
if a mark could be placed on the front surface of a device, for
manufacturers, the need to choose a location for such a mark on the
external casing would mean that different casings would be needed
for different antenna sizes and/or locations. This would add cost,
and/or limit the ability to optimize antenna design for a given NFC
device configuration.
[0007] Thus, improved apparatus and methods for improving NFC
device positioning for performing a NFC action based on one or more
sensory cues may be desired.
SUMMARY
[0008] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects.
This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated
aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical
elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all
aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or
more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0009] In accordance with one or more aspects and corresponding
disclosure thereof, various aspects are described in connection
with improving NFC device positioning for performing a NFC action
based on one or more sensory cues. In one example, a NFC device may
be equipped to detect that a device is attempting to perform a NFC
action to communicate with a remote NFC device and may provide a
first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface
of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second
surface of the device in response to the determination that the
device is attempting to perform the NFC action. The NFC device may
be further operable to determine a type of NFC action the device is
attempting to perform and provide a second sensory cue indicating a
second location on the first surface of the device based on one or
more factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.
[0010] According to related aspects, a method for providing
improved NFC device positioning for performing a NFC action based
on one or more sensory cues is provided. The method can include
detecting that a device is attempting to perform a NFC action to
communicate with a remote NFC device. Further, the method may
include providing a first sensory cue to indicate a first location
on a first surface of the device corresponding to an antenna
location on a second surface of the device in response to the
determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC
action. Further, the method may include determining a type of NFC
action the device is attempting to perform. Moreover, the method
can include providing a second sensory cue indicating a second
location on the first surface of the device based on one or more
factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.
[0011] Another aspect relates to a communications apparatus. The
wireless communications apparatus can include means for detecting
that a device is attempting to perform a NFC action to communicate
with a remote NFC device. Further, the communications apparatus can
include means for providing a first sensory cue to indicate a first
location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an
antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to
the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC
action. Further, the communications apparatus can include means for
determining a type of NFC action the device is attempting to
perform. Moreover, the communications apparatus can include means
for providing a second sensory cue indicating a second location on
the first surface of the device based on one or more factors
associated with the determined type of NFC action.
[0012] Another aspect relates to an apparatus for NFC
communications. The apparatus can include a user interface, a
memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The apparatus may
further include a NFC action position optimization module coupled
to at least one of the user interface or the processor and
configured to detect that a device is attempting to perform a NFC
action to communicate with a remote NFC device. Further, the NFC
action position optimization module along with the user interface
may be configured to provide a first sensory cue to indicate a
first location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an
antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to
the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC
action. Further, the NFC action position optimization module may be
configured to determine a type of NFC action the device is
attempting to perform. Moreover, the NFC action position
optimization module along with the user interface may be configured
to provide a second sensory cue indicating a second location on the
first surface of the device based on one or more factors associated
with the determined type of NFC action.
[0013] Another aspect relates to a computer program product, which
can have a computer-readable medium comprising code for detecting
that a device is attempting to perform a NFC action to communicate
with a remote NFC device. Further, the computer-readable medium can
include code for providing a first sensory cue to indicate a first
location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an
antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to
the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC
action. Further, the computer-readable medium can include code for
determining a type of NFC action the device is attempting to
perform. Moreover, the computer-readable medium can include code
for providing a second sensory cue indicating a second location on
the first surface of the device based on one or more factors
associated with the determined type of NFC action.
[0014] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this
description is intended to include all such aspects and their
equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and
not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations
denote like elements, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a near
field wireless communication system according to an aspect.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of a near
field communication transfer system according to an aspect.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a NFC environment
according to an aspect;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates multiple views of an example
communications device with a first side and a second side,
according to an aspect;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a communications
device at a plurality of times during performance of an NFC action,
according to an aspect.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart describing an example system
for improving NFC device positioning for performing a NFC action
based on one or more sensory cues according to an aspect;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart describing another example
system for improving NFC device positioning for performing a NFC
action based on one or more sensory cues according to an
aspect;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram example architecture of a
communications device, according to an aspect; and
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example
communication system for improving NFC device positioning for
performing a NFC action based on one or more sensory cues,
according to an aspect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Various aspects are now described with reference to the
drawings. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be
evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without
these specific details.
[0026] Generally, as part of an NFC action a device may recognize a
NFC target device and/or tag when within range of the coverage area
of the NFC device and/or tag. Thereafter, the device may obtain
sufficient information to determine a type of NFC action to allow
for communications to be established. One example of types of NFC
actions includes different types of RF technologies. Communications
between the devices may be enabled over a variety of NFC RF
technologies, such as but not limited to, NFC-A, NFC-B, NFC-F, etc.
Further, an NFC action may include aspects associated with
different phases of communications (e.g., an activation phase, a
data exchange phase, etc.) Still further, different RF technologies
and different types of NFC actions may be associated with different
locations that allow for optimal communications.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100, in
accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. Input power 102 is provided to a transmitter 104 for
generating a radiated field 106 for providing energy transfer. A
receiver 108 couples to the radiated field 106 and generates an
output power 110 for storing or consumption by a device (not shown)
coupled to the output power 110. Both the transmitter 104 and the
receiver 108 are separated by a distance 112. In one exemplary
embodiment, transmitter 104 and receiver 108 are configured
according to a mutual resonant relationship and when the resonant
frequency of receiver 108 and the resonant frequency of transmitter
104 are very close, transmission losses between the transmitter 104
and the receiver 108 are minimal when the receiver 108 is located
in the "near-field" of the radiated field 106.
[0028] Transmitter 104 further includes a transmit antenna 114 for
providing a means for energy transmission and receiver 108 further
includes a receive antenna 118 for providing a means for energy
reception. The transmit and receive antennas are sized according to
applications and devices to be associated therewith. As stated, an
efficient energy transfer occurs by coupling a large portion of the
energy in the near-field of the transmitting antenna to a receiving
antenna rather than propagating most of the energy in an
electromagnetic wave to the far field. When in this near-field a
coupling mode may be developed between the transmit antenna 114 and
the receive antenna 118. The area around the antennas 114 and 118
where this near-field coupling may occur is referred to herein as a
coupling-mode region.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a near field
wireless communication system. The transmitter 204 includes an
oscillator 222, a power amplifier 224 and a filter and matching
circuit 226. The oscillator is configured to generate a signal at a
desired frequency, which may be adjusted in response to adjustment
signal 223. The oscillator signal may be amplified by the power
amplifier 224 with an amplification amount responsive to control
signal 225. The filter and matching circuit 226 may be included to
filter out harmonics or other unwanted frequencies and match the
impedance of the transmitter 204 to the transmit antenna 214.
[0030] The receiver 208 may include a matching circuit 232 and a
rectifier and switching circuit 234 to generate a DC power output
to charge a battery 236 as shown in FIG. 2 or power a device
coupled to the receiver (not shown). The matching circuit 232 may
be included to match the impedance of the receiver 208 to the
receive antenna 218. The receiver 208 and transmitter 204 may
communicate on a separate communication channel 219 (e.g.,
Bluetooth, zigbee, cellular, etc).
[0031] With reference to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a communication
network 300 according to an aspect is illustrated. Communication
network 300 may include communications devices 310 which, through
antenna 324, may be in communication with a remote NFC device 330
using one or more NFC technologies 326 (e.g., NFC-A, NFC-B, NFC-F,
etc.). In one aspect, remote NFC device 330 and/or communication
device 310 may be operable to communicate through NFC communication
module 332 through one or more RF interfaces 334 using one or more
RF protocols 336. In another aspect, communications device 310 may
be operable to be connected to an access network and/or core
network (e.g., a CDMA network, a GPRS network, a UMTS network, and
other types of wireline and wireless communication networks). In
one aspect, remote NFC device 330 may include but is not limited to
a remote NFC tag, a reader/writer device, a peer initiator device,
a remote peer target device, etc.
[0032] Communication device 310 may include NFC controller
interface (NCI) 320. In one aspect, NCI 320 may be operable to
enable communications between a NFC enabled antenna 324 and NFC
controller 312.
[0033] Communications device 310 may further include a NFC
controller (NFCC) 312, device host (DH) 340, and user interface
360. In one aspect, NFCC 312 may include RF interface module 314.
RF interface module 314 may be operable to perform RF discovery
using a RF discovery loop as part of a NFC discovery process. DH
340 may be operable to generate a command to prompt NFCC 312 to
perform various NFC actions, such as but not limited to, RF
discovery, NFC data exchange, etc. User interface 360 may include
an input mechanism 362 and an output mechanism 364.
[0034] Communications device 310 may include NFC action position
optimization module 350. NFC action position optimization module
350 may be operable to prompt to user interface 360 to provide one
or more first sensory cues 366 based at least in part on a
determination that a NFC action is being attempted by
communications device 310. As used herein, a NFC action may
include, but is not limited to, RF discovery, NFC link
establishment, data exchange, etc. Further, NFC action position
optimization module 350 may be operable to prompt to user interface
360 to provide one or more second sensory cues 368 based at least
in part on a determination of a type of NFC action that is
attempting to be performed by communications device 310. As used
herein, a type of NFC action may include, but is not limited to, a
type of RF technology used for an NFC action, a type of remote NFC
device with which the communications device 310 is attempting to
communicate, a data rate to be used during the NFC action, etc.
[0035] In one operational aspect, when NFC action position
optimization module 350 detects that communications device 310 is
attempting to perform a NFC action, NFC action position
optimization module 350 may prompt user interface 360 to provide a
first sensory cue 366 to assist in indicating a location of the NFC
antenna 324 on the communications device 310. In one aspect, a
sensory cue may include at least one of a graphical representation,
an auditory indication, a vibration indication, etc. Continuing the
above described operational aspect, when NFC action position
optimization module 350 determines a type of NFC action that
communications device 310 is attempting to perform, then NFC action
position optimization module 350 may prompt user interface 360 to
provide a second sensory cue 368 to assist in indicating a location
that is an optimal location positioning the communications device
310 with respect to the remote NFC device 330 to perform to
determined type of NFC action. Thereafter, communications device
310 and remote NFC device 330 may perform the NFC action.
[0036] Therefore, a system and method is disclosed to provide
improved NFC antenna 324 align for performing a NFC action through
use of one or more sensory cues (366, 368).
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates multiple views (401, 403) of an example
communications device 400 with a first side 402 and a second side
404. A first view 401 of communications device 400 illustrates a
first surface 402 with a user interface display 406 on the first
surface 402. A second view 403 of communications device 400
illustrates a second surface 404 with a location of an NFC antenna
410. Although FIG. 4 depicts a single NFC antenna 410, one of
ordinary skill in the art would understand that the description may
be applied to a plurality of NFC antennas 410. In one aspect,
alignment of the NFC antenna 410 with a remote NFC device (e.g.,
303) allows the communications device 400 to perform a NFC action.
As depicted in FIG. 4, a first surface 402 is substantially
parallel to the second surface 404 and the first surface 402 and
second surface 404 are on opposite sides of the communication
device 400. As such, during operation the second surface 404 is not
visually accessible to a user interacting with the user interface
406 on the first surface 402 when the communications device 400 is
positioned to perform a NFC action.
[0038] In one aspect, the communications device 400 may detect that
a user is attempting to perform a NFC action. In such an aspect,
the communications device 400 may detect the attempt through at
least one of detecting activation of the communications device 400,
detecting initiation of an application, detecting a change in
orientation of the communications device 400, a user input, etc.
Upon detection of the attempted NFC action, the communications
device 400 may provide one or more sensory cues to assist a user in
aligning the NFC antenna 410 with a remote NFC device (e.g., a
reader/writer, tag, peer device, etc.).
[0039] In one aspect, the sensory cue may include a graphical
representation 408 on the user interface 406 of the communications
device 400 on the first surface 402. In such an aspect, the
graphical representation 408 may include a target shape, arrow
directions, text indicating a location, text indicating one or more
directions for a user to follow, etc.
[0040] In one aspect, the sensory cue may include a variable
vibration indication enabled by a vibration module 412. In such an
aspect, the vibration module 412 may vary frequency, intensity,
etc., of a vibration based on a proximity to an alignment location
for the NFC antenna 410. In other words, vibration module 412 may
enable increased vibration frequency and/or vibration intensity as
the communications device 400 is moved into closer proximity to an
alignment location.
[0041] In one aspect, the sensory cue may include a variable
auditory indication enabled by one or more auditory modules, such
as but not limited to, speakers 414a, an audio interface 414b, etc.
In such an aspect, the auditory module (414a, 414b) may vary a
frequency of an audio signal, a voice message, a volume based on a
proximity to an alignment location for the NFC antenna 410. For
example, auditory module (414a, 414b) may provide a "pinging" noise
that changes in frequency and/or volume as the communications
device 400 is moved into closer proximity to an alignment location.
In another example, auditory module (414a, 414b) may provide verbal
instructions (e.g., "move left," "move up," etc.) to assist a user
in guiding the communications device 400 into closer proximity to
an alignment location.
[0042] In one aspect, the various sensory cues may be used in
combination with each other. For example, the user interface 406
may display a target 408 as an auditory module 414a provides spoke
instructions to assist a user in guiding the communications device
400 into closer proximity to an alignment location.
[0043] In one aspect, direct alignment of the NFC antenna 410 with
an antenna associated with the remote NFC device may not provide an
optimal alignment for performing different types of NFC action. One
or more factors may affect NFC antenna alignment, such as but not
limited to, comparative sizes of the antenna associated with the
remote NFC device and the NFC antenna 410, a coupling value
indicating a strength of magnetic coupling of an antenna associated
with the remote NFC device and the NFC antenna 410. As such, once
communications device 400 determines a type of NFC action that the
user is attempting to perform then a second one or more sensory cue
may be provided to assist the user to align the communications
device 400 with the remote NFC device (e.g., 330) to facilitate the
determined type of NFC action. Further discussion of the alignment
process is provided with reference to FIG. 5.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates an example communications device 502 at a
plurality of times (501, 503, 505) during performance of an NFC
action. Communications device 502 may include a user interface 504
that occurrences a substantial portion of a front surface (e.g.,
first surface).
[0045] At time interval 501, communications device 502 may detect
that the user is attempting to perform a NFC action with a remote
NFC device 506. In response to the detection, communications device
502 may provide a first sensory cue 508a. In one aspect, the first
sensory cue 508a may include at least one of a graphical
representation, an auditory indication, a vibration indication,
etc. Further, the first sensory cue 508a may provide a
representation of the location of a NFC antenna located on the
backside (e.g., second surface) of communications device 502. In
the depicted aspect, the first sensory cue 508a includes a target
shape displayed on the user interface 504.
[0046] At time interval 503, once communications device 502 is
within proximity of the remote NFC device 506 based on the first
sensory cue 508b, the communications device 502 may determine a
type of NFC action that the user is attempting to perform. As
different types of NFC actions may be enabled through different
alignments between one or more NFC antennas associated with the
communications device 502 and the remote NFC device 506, a second
sensory cue 510 may be provided. In aspect, once the second sensory
cue 510 is provide, the first sensory cue may be modified 508b. In
such an aspect, modification may include removal, discontinuation,
fading, changing to be partially transparent, etc. of the first
sensory cue 508b. One or more factors may be used to determine the
location of the second sensory cue 510, such as but not limited to,
comparative sizes of the antenna associated with the remote NFC
device 506 and the NFC antenna located under the first sensory cue
508a, a coupling value indicating a strength of magnetic coupling
of an antenna associated with the remote NFC device 506 and the NFC
antenna located under the first sensory cue 508a.
[0047] At time interval 505, the communications device 502 may be
aligned with the second sensory cue 510, and the NFC action may be
performed.
[0048] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate various methodologies in accordance
with various aspects of the presented subject matter. While, for
purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown
and described as a series of acts or sequence steps, it is to be
understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not
limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur in different
orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and
described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will
understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be
represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as
in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be
required to implement a methodology in accordance with the claimed
subject matter. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that
the methodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughout this
specification are capable of being stored on an article of
manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring such
methodologies to computers. The term article of manufacture, as
used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible
from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media.
[0049] FIG. 6 depicts an example flowchart describing a process 600
for efficiently indicating to a user one or more positions to use
for performing an NFC action.
[0050] At block 602, a device may detect an attempt to perform a
NFC action to communicate with a remote NFC device. In one aspect,
the device may detect that a NFC action may be performed within a
threshold period of time. In one aspect, this detection may result
from at least one of activating the device, activating an
application associated with NFC, a change in orientation of the
device, etc. In another aspect, the device may detect that a remote
NFC device is within a threshold distance and may notify the user
of its potential presence.
[0051] At block 604, the device may provide a first sensory cue to
indicate a first location on a first surface of the device
corresponding to an antenna location on a second surface of the
device in response to the determination that the device is
attempting to perform the NFC action. In one aspect, a sensory cue
may be a graphical representation on a user interface on the first
surface. In such aspect, the sensory cue may include a graphical
display such as a "mark" indicating a position on the device user
interface to perform the NFC action. Generally, a NFC action may be
conducted while the screen is on, whether interacting with a
reader/writer such as a point of sale terminal, with a tag such as
a smart poster, or with a peer device such as another handheld
device. Instead of simply displaying an on-screen message such as
"touch the reader", the device may further display a graphical
representation which shows where "under" the image a NFC antenna is
located. In another aspect, the sensory cue may include at least
one of variable vibration indications and/or variable auditory
indications. In one aspect, the variable vibration indication may
change at least one of a frequency and an intensity of the device
vibration based on a distance between the first or second location
and a current positioning of the device. In one aspect, the
variable auditory indication may change at least one of a frequency
and a volume of the device auditory indication based on a distance
between the first or second location and a current positioning of
the device. Use of the one or more first and second sensory cues
may allow for complex antenna designs to be implemented without
providing additional burdens to casing manufacturers.
[0052] At block 606, the device may determine a type of NFC action
that a user is attempting to perform. As used herein, a type of NFC
action may include, but is not limited to, a type of RF technology
used for an NFC action, a type of remote NFC device with which the
communications device is attempting to communicate, a data rate to
be used during the NFC action, etc.
[0053] At block 608, the device may provide a second sensory cue
indicating a second location on the first surface of the device
based on one or more factors associated with the determined type of
NFC action. In one aspect, the one or more factors may include, but
not limited to, comparative sizes of the antenna associated with
the remote NFC device and the NFC antenna, a coupling value
indicating a strength of magnetic coupling of an antenna associated
with the remote NFC device and the NFC antenna, etc. In one aspect,
if the device includes multiple antennas, the second sensory cue
may be based on a position of the one of the multiple NFC antennas
that may be used for the determined type of NFC action. In another
aspect, where the device includes combination and/or tunable
antennas the second sensory cue may indicate a location based on
the determined type of NFC action. For example, a combination
focused/wide area antenna may work comparatively better in one
location for card emulation, and comparatively better in a
different location for reading and writing.
[0054] In an optional aspect, at block 610, the user may then align
the device with the remote NFC endpoint (e.g., reader/writer, tag,
peer device, etc.), based on the one or more second sensory cues,
and may perform the NFC action.
[0055] FIG. 7 depicts an example flowchart describing another
process 700 for efficiently indicating to a user one or more
positions to use for performing an NFC action.
[0056] At block 702, in an optional aspect, activation of NFC
device may be detected. At block 704, the NFC device determines if
a NFC action is being attempting and/or may be attempted within a
threshold period of time. In one aspect, this detection may result
from at least one of activating the device, activating an
application associated with NFC, a change in orientation of the
device, etc. In another aspect, the device may detect that a remote
NFC device is within a threshold distance and may notify the user
of its potential presence. If at block 704, the NFC device
determines that no NFC action is being attempted and/or may not be
attempted within the threshold period of time, then the NFC device
may continue to monitor for future NFC actions.
[0057] By contrast, if at block 704 the NFC device determines that
a NFC action is being attempted, then at block 706, the NFC device
may provide a first sensory cue to indicate a first location on the
device for antenna alignment for the NFC action. In one aspect, the
first sensory cue may provide an indication of a location of a
second surface of the NFC device where a NFC antenna is
located.
[0058] At block 708, the NFC device determines whether a type of
attempted NFC action is known. As used herein, a type of NFC action
may include, but is not limited to, a type of RF technology used
for an NFC action, a type of remote NFC device with which the
communications device is attempting to communicate, a data rate to
be used during the NFC action, etc. If at block 708, the NFC device
determines a type of NFC action that is being attempted, then at
block 710 a second sensory cue is provided to indicate a second
location to assist with further alignment based on the type of NFC
action. At block 712, once the NFC device has been aligned using
the second sensory cue, the NFC action may be performed.
[0059] By contrast, if at block 708, the NFC device does not
determine a type of NFC action that is being attempted, then at
block 714 the NFC device may attempt to perform the NFC action
based on alignment information provided using the first sensory
cue.
[0060] Therefore, an NFC device may efficiently indicate to a user
one or more positions to use when performing an NFC action.
[0061] While referencing FIG. 3, but turning also now to FIG. 8, an
example architecture of communications device 800 is illustrated.
As depicted in FIG. 8, communications device 800 comprises receiver
802 that receives a signal from, for instance, a receive antenna
(not shown), performs typical actions on (e.g., filters, amplifies,
downconverts, etc.) the received signal, and digitizes the
conditioned signal to obtain samples. Receiver 802 can comprise a
demodulator 804 that can demodulate received symbols and provide
them to processor 806 for channel estimation. Processor 806 can be
a processor dedicated to analyzing information received by receiver
802 and/or generating information for transmission by transmitter
820, a processor that controls one or more components of device
800, and/or a processor that both analyzes information received by
receiver 802, generates information for transmission by transmitter
820, and controls one or more components of communications device
800. Further, signals may be prepared for transmission by
transmitter 820 through modulator 818 which may modulate the
signals processed by processor 806.
[0062] Communications device 800 can additionally comprise memory
808 that is operatively coupled to various components, such as but
not limited processor 806 and that can store data to be
transmitted, received data, information related to available
channels, TCP flows, data associated with analyzed signal and/or
interference strength, information related to an assigned channel,
power, rate, or the like, and any other suitable information for
assisting in NFC action connection establishment.
[0063] Further, processor 806, user interface 840, receiver 802,
and/or NFC action position optimization module 860 can provide
means for detecting that a device is attempting to perform a near
field communication (NFC) action to communicate with a remote NFC
device, means for providing a first sensory cue to indicate a first
location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an
antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to
the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC
action, means for determining a type of NFC action the device is
attempting to perform, and means for providing a second sensory cue
indicating a second location on the first surface of the device
based on one or more factors associated with the determined type of
NFC action.
[0064] It will be appreciated that data store (e.g., memory 808)
described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile
memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way
of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include
read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically
programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or
flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory
(RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration
and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as
synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM
(SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM
(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).
Memory 808 of the subject systems and methods may comprise, without
being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.
[0065] Device 800 may include a NFC controller (NFCC) 830, device
host (DH) 834. In one aspect, NFCC 830 may include RF discovery
module 832. RF discovery module 832 may be operable to perform RF
discovery using a RF discovery loop as part of a discovery process
to enable NFC communications. DH 834 may be operable to generate a
command to prompt NFCC 830 to perform various NFC actions, such as
but not limited to, RF discovery, NFC data exchange, etc.
[0066] In another aspect, communication device 800 may include NCI
850. In one aspect, NCI 850 may be operable to enable
communications between a NFC enabled antenna (e.g., 802, 820), NFC
controller 830 and DH 834. NCI 850 may be operable to function in a
listening mode and/or a polling mode.
[0067] Communications device 800 may include user interface 840.
User interface 840 may include input mechanisms 842 for generating
inputs into communications device 800, and output mechanism 844 for
generating information for consumption by the user of the
communications device 800. For example, input mechanism 842 may
include a mechanism such as a key or keyboard, a mouse, a
touch-screen display, a microphone, etc. Further, for example,
output mechanism 844 may include a display, an audio speaker, a
haptic feedback mechanism, a Personal Area Network (PAN)
transceiver etc. In the illustrated aspects, the output mechanism
844 may include a display operable to present media content that is
in image or video format or an audio speaker to present media
content that is in an audio format.
[0068] In another aspect, communications device 800 may include NFC
action position optimization module 860. NFC action position
optimization module 860 may be operable to prompt to user interface
840 to provide one or more first sensory cues 846 based at least in
part on a determination that a NFC action is being attempted by
communications device 800. As used herein, a NFC action may
include, but is not limited to, RF discovery, NFC link
establishment, data exchange, etc. Further, NFC action position
optimization module 860 may be operable to prompt to user interface
840 to provide one or more second sensory cues 848 based at least
in part on a determination of a type of NFC action that is
attempting to be performed by communications device 800. As used
herein, a type of NFC action may include, but is not limited to, a
type of RF technology used for an NFC action, a type of remote NFC
device with which the communications device 800 is attempting to
communicate, a data rate to be used during the NFC action, etc. In
another aspect, NFC action position optimization module 860
operable to perform processes described with respect to FIGS.
6-7.
[0069] FIG. 9 depicts another depicts a block diagram of an
exemplary communication system 900 operable to improve NFC device
positioning for performing a NFC action based on one or more
sensory cues, according to an aspect. For example, system 900 can
reside at least partially within a communications device (e.g.,
communications device 800). It is to be appreciated that system 900
is represented as including functional blocks, which can be
functional blocks that represent functions implemented by a
processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware).
System 900 includes a logical grouping 902 of electrical components
that can act in conjunction.
[0070] For instance, logical grouping 902 can include an electrical
component that may provide means for detecting that a device is
attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC) action to
communicate with a remote NFC device 904. In one aspect, the means
for detecting may further include means for detecting at least one
of activation of the device, initiation of an application, a change
in orientation of the device, a user input, etc.
[0071] Further, logical grouping 902 can include an electrical
component that may provide means for providing a first sensory cue
to indicate a first location on a first surface of the device
corresponding to an antenna location on a second surface of the
device in response to the determination that the device is
attempting to perform the NFC action 906.
[0072] Still further, logical grouping 902 can include an
electrical component that may provide means for determining a type
of NFC action the device is attempting to perform 908.
[0073] Moreover, logical grouping 902 can include an electrical
component that may provide means for providing a second sensory cue
indicating a second location on the first surface of the device
based on one or more factors associated with the determined type of
NFC action 910. In one aspect, the one or more factors may include
comparative sizes of an antenna associated with the remote NFC
device and the antenna associated with the device, a coupling value
indicating a strength of magnetic coupling of an antenna associated
with the remote NFC device and at least one of the one or more
antennas, etc. In one aspect, at least one of the first sensory cue
and the second sensory cue may include a graphical representation
on a user interface of the device on the first surface. In another
aspect, at least one of the first sensory cue and the second
sensory cue may include a variable vibration indication that may
change at least one of a frequency and an intensity of the device
vibration based on a distance between the first or second location
and a current positioning of the device. In one aspect, at least
one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue may include
a variable auditory indication that may change at least one of a
frequency, a voice message, and a volume of the device auditory
indication based on a distance between the first or second location
and a current positioning of the device.
[0074] Additionally, system 900 can include a memory 912 that
retains instructions for executing functions associated with the
electrical components 904, 906, 908, and 910, stores data used or
obtained by the electrical components 904, 906, 908, 910, etc.
While shown as being external to memory 912, it is to be understood
that one or more of the electrical components 904, 906, 908, and
910 may exist within memory 912. In one example, electrical
components 904, 906, 908, and 910 can include at least one
processor, or each electrical component 904, 906, 908, and 910 can
be a corresponding module of at least one processor. Moreover, in
an additional or alternative example, electrical components 904,
906, 908, and 910 may be a computer program product including a
computer readable medium, where each electrical component 904, 906,
908, and 910 may be corresponding code.
[0075] As used in this application, the terms "component,"
"module," "system" and the like are intended to include a
computer-related entity, such as but not limited to hardware,
firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or
software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not
limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an
object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a
computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a
computing device and the computing device can be a component. One
or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of
execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or
distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these
components can execute from various computer readable media having
various data structures stored thereon. The components may
communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in
accordance with a signal having one or more data packets, such as
data from one component interacting with another component in a
local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as
the Internet with other systems by way of the signal.
[0076] Furthermore, various aspects are described herein in
connection with a terminal, which can be a wired terminal or a
wireless terminal A terminal can also be called a system, device,
subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, mobile
device, remote station, mobile equipment (ME), remote terminal,
access terminal, user terminal, terminal, communication device,
user agent, user device, or user equipment (UE). A wireless
terminal may be a cellular telephone, a satellite phone, a cordless
telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless
local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
handheld device having wireless connection capability, a computing
device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem.
Moreover, various aspects are described herein in connection with a
base station. A base station may be utilized for communicating with
wireless terminal(s) and may also be referred to as an access
point, a Node B, or some other terminology.
[0077] Moreover, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive
"or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified
otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase "X employs A or B"
is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, the phrase "X employs A or B" is satisfied by any of the
following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A
and B. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this
application and the appended claims should generally be construed
to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from the
context to be directed to a singular form.
[0078] The techniques described herein may be used for various
wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA,
SC-FDMA and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are
often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio
technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA),
cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other
variants of CDMA. Further, cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and
IS-856 standards. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology
such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA
system may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA
(E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE
802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are
part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long
Term Evolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA, which
employs OFDMA on the downlink and SC-FDMA on the uplink. UTRA,
E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and GSM are described in documents from an
organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP).
Additionally, cdma2000 and UMB are described in documents from an
organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2).
Further, such wireless communication systems may additionally
include peer-to-peer (e.g., mobile-to-mobile) ad hoc network
systems often using unpaired unlicensed spectrums, 802.xx wireless
LAN, BLUETOOTH, near-field communications (NFC-A, NFC-B, NFC,-f,
etc.), and any other short- or long-range, wireless communication
techniques.
[0079] Various aspects or features will be presented in terms of
systems that may include a number of devices, components, modules,
and the like. It is to be understood and appreciated that the
various systems may include additional devices, components,
modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices,
components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures.
A combination of these approaches may also be used.
[0080] The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules,
and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed
herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration. Additionally, at least
one processor may comprise one or more modules operable to perform
one or more of the steps and/or actions described above.
[0081] Further, the steps and/or actions of a method or algorithm
described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be
embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a
processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may
reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory,
EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM,
or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An example
storage medium may be coupled to the processor, such that the
processor can read information from, and write information to, the
storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be
integral to the processor. Further, in some aspects, the processor
and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the
ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the
processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components
in a user terminal. Additionally, in some aspects, the steps and/or
actions of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any
combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a machine
readable medium and/or computer readable medium, which may be
incorporated into a computer program product.
[0082] In one or more aspects, the functions described may be
implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination
thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or
transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a
computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both
computer storage media and communication media including any medium
that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to
another. A storage medium may be any available media that can be
accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or
other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or
store desired program code in the form of instructions or data
structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any
connection may be termed a computer-readable medium. For example,
if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote
source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as
infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic
cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as
infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of
medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD),
laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk
and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically,
while discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers.
Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope
of computer-readable media.
[0083] While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative
aspects and/or aspects, it should be noted that various changes and
modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope
of the described aspects and/or aspects as defined by the appended
claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects
and/or aspects may be described or claimed in the singular, the
plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is
explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect
and/or aspect may be utilized with all or a portion of any other
aspect and/or aspect, unless stated otherwise.
* * * * *